Atherton Collieries earned a point on the road in the NPL Premier Division with a 0-0 draw at Lancaster City on Monday.

Brad Cooke shuffled his pack for the game and gave debuts and full debuts to young Bolton guns Arran Pettifer and Finlay Lockett, respectively.

Skipper Danny Lafferty felt a twinge in the warm-up and was ruled out with Luca Defreitas-Hansen taking over the armband.

The hosts were buoyed by a good 2-0 win at Gainsborough Trinity last time out and started proceedings as clear favourites for the win.

The game started at a quick pace with both sides looking confident.

Ollie Brown’s rampaging runs from the right-back berth were causing problems for the hosts, while Nico Defreitas-Hansen produced a top-drawer low save to deny Kyle Brownhill his name up in lights.

Marcus Cusani was cautioned for backchat after the stripes were denied a free-kick on the edge of the City box - it looked a clear decision that would probably have been given in the middle of the pitch.

Cusani then shot from distance, forcing an off-his-line Curtis Anderson into a panicky save even though the ball was clearly heading into the stand. Luca Defreitas-Hansen also headed wide from a corner as the half came to an end.

The second period continued on a similar trajectory to the first with both teams cancelling each other out.

Mark Fell’s team were afforded a couple of free headers in the Colls area which, upon analysis, they will think they should have done better with.

Ed Ikpakwu also forced a super stop from Nico Defreitas-Hansen, whose handling was exemplary all afternoon.

Colls had a couple of dangerous-looking free-kicks which came to nothing and continued to edge possession, but came up against determined opposition.

A point apiece was overall a fair result - the second time Colls have drawn 0-0 in the league at the Giant Axe in 2022.

Every player in a black-and-white striped shirt gave their all for the cause and the endeavour was appreciated at the end by the travelling support.

Colls now turn their attention to this weekend’s FA Cup first qualifying rounf clash at Stocksbridge Park Steels (3pm).